Club News 2/23/2013

Welcome to Club News, a weekly roundup of the latest news in the Big Country. To be included: in 75 words or less, send meeting highlights, guest speakers, officers elected, donations made or received, etc. We don’t need the full minutes — just the decisions made or the fun things that happened. Information needed: when and where (with a full street address) the club meets and daytime contact information for questions. Only typed submissions can be accepted. To email the information, please put “club news” in the subject line and send to PublishMe@reporternews.com by 2 p.m. each Tuesday.

Abilene Cactus Lions Club

We would like to thank everyone who supported the 36th annual spaghetti supper fundraiser on Feb. 9. A special thanks to the Dyess We Care Team for its assistance. Jeff Salmon, executive director of Frontier Texas!, spoke Feb. 13 about new exhibits to open on March 2. Members placed flags for Presidents Day.

Chris Knapp, administrator of Coronado Nursing Center, was inducted as a new member on Valentine’s Day. Knapp was sponsored by Preston Parker. A.C. Sharp presented a brief history of the Lions in Abilene, beginning in 1917. The club entertained spouses and guests with flowers and several songs. The club put out more than 100 flags on Presidents Day.

Several members of our club assisted in the recent End Polio Dinner at Abilene Christian University’s Hunter Welcome Center. The dinner was headed by Bob Hunter. Ken Baker spoke at several Big Country clubs. Will Speight served as co-registrar, and Karla Rose helped with the silent auction. Dr. Larry McGraw served as master of ceremonies. David Christianson and Charles Richardson served on the planning committee.

Steve Abel, executive director of the Better Business Bureau, spoke this week. Toni Brown, executive director of the Alliance for Women & Children, will speak Wednesday. Brown will present an update on the Alliance for Women & Children’s programs, such as the after-school program, A-Teens and the Women’s Health Initiative.

Don Christensen, sales engineer for Schlumberger Inc., presented an informative program last week about the Cline Shale formation, an unconventional resource, and its economic impact in West Texas. A member of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts since 1982, Don worked for Halliburton from 1974 until 1996, when he joined Schlumberger.

Today, the club is sponsoring its 57th annual Chili Day and Auction from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Abilene Civic Center. Proceeds will benefit local charities for children. The Abilene Community Band will provide entertainment. Tickets are available at the door. Takeout will be available. Also available at extra cost: tacos, cobbler and ice cream. Larry Sanders and Tim Archer recently presented an informative program, “Cuba, An Opening Door.”

Regular meeting: noon Thursdays, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St.

Contact: Nancy Baker, 669-8603.

Merkel Fortnightly Study Club

The club met Feb. 12 at Verene Warren’s home. Veronica Klinglesmith shared hostess duties and presented the program, “Texas Laws, True or False?” Club members brought personal items for the Noah Project and are planning another work day for the Smile Gown project (children’s hospital gowns sent to foreign countries).

Next meeting: Tuesday, Ida Mae Seymore’s home.

Contact: 928-4707.

Rotary Club of Abilene

Barbara Rollins, Rotarian and retired judge, presented a lighthearted view of her decision to go to law school, the bar exam, her decision to run for office, and the 23 years of trying maintain order in the court. Next week, Jack Rentz of Rentech Boilers will speak. Congratulations to Bill Core, Rotarian of the week.

Greg London, principal of Oliver School, assumed his duties in July. He talked about the importance of making learning a fun process to keep students’ attention. Project-based learning helps encourage deeper thinking. He said he believes kids love school when they can work together and lend support and confidence to each other. As a history teacher, he said, he learned that by asking kids to research their ancestry, he was able to get them excited about learning.